BY TATYANA NYBORG CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Mannford Public Library is a good asset for the local community. It has 5, 447 patrons. On Feb. 27, 2016, one more individual became a patron. It was five-year-old Elijah Dowell. He learned how to write his name to obtain a library card. Colleen Branson, Mannford Public Library Director, handed Dowell his first library card. The boy checked out his first video at the library. High circulation numbers show that the library services are in high demand. From November 2015 to January 2016, 4,674 books, DVDs, magazines, check-outs and computer usages occurred. The library tries to stay on top of the technological revolution. “Within the last two years, we received a grant for e-books,” said Branson. “Now patrons can download e-books on their computers, tablets and other devices at the library free of charge.” The library director stated that the City of Mannford is very generous with help for the library. The annual library budget is $186,000 according to the Town of Mannford financial statement of Jan. 31, 2016. After last Christmas, the library was flooded. The water came from the back of the building and drain. “One issue was fixed soon by the City of Mannford,” said Branson. “More repairs are coming.” Currently, the library is preparing for the summer reading program. The librarians Barbara Smythe and Steve

The Mannford Public Library is a good asset for the local community. It has 5, 447 patrons. On Feb. 27, 2016, one more individual became a patron. It was five-year-old Elijah Dowell. He learned how to write his name to obtain a library card. Colleen Branson, Mannford Public Library Director, handed Dowell his first library card. The boy checked out his first video at the library. High circulation numbers show that the library services are in high demand. From November 2015 to January 2016, 4,674 books, DVDs, magazines, check-outs and computer usages occurred. The library tries to stay on top of the technological revolution. “Within the last two years, we received a grant for e-books,” said Branson. “Now patrons can download e-books on their computers, tablets and other devices at the library free of charge.” The library director stated that the City of Mannford is very generous with help for the library. The annual library budget is $186,000 according to the Town of Mannford financial statement of Jan. 31, 2016. After last Christmas, the library was flooded. The water came from the back of the building and drain. “One issue was fixed soon by the City of Mannford,” said Branson. “More repairs are coming.” Currently, the library is preparing for the summer reading program. The librarians Barbara Smythe and Steve Mehagan attended the annual summer reading program workshop. Branson and Smythe also completed health information classes organized by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The lessons equipped the librarians to help patrons with searching for health related subjects, such as cancer, drugs for consumers, alternative medicine and others. Traditionally, the Mannford library receives a state aid for the summer reading program. This year, it is only $2,880 in comparison with last year’s $3,594. The state budget cuts affected the local library too. “We spent the aid money on buying some books, DVDs, prizes and incentives to pay performers and speakers during the summer reading programs,” Branson explained. “Jugglers, wild animal groups were invited to perform and talk.” “This year, I have to watch the budget for the summer reading program carefully because of the state aid cut,” she concluded. Branson sent a letter by email to the state representatives about the aid cuts. “There are groups, which want to eliminate public library funds,” she continued. “There are also rumors that the Oklahoma Department of Libraries will be dissolved.” “It will be devastating to see that happen for many librarians across the state,” Branson stated. “They provide significant help with consulting and training.” “When I started as the library director in May 2003, I would not have succeeded without the Oklahoma Department of Library assistance,” she said.